2019-2020 Legislative Program: A few things ~ First, you will receive points for All-State only. One (1) point will be awarded each month a Post submits a legislative report or response letter with your monthly Community Activity report. ➤ Please send to both Comrade Director Bob Lutz via activity@vfwmi.org. and please send a copy of your legislative activity only via leg@vfwmi.org.
Second,
please be certain to sign-up for the VFW
Action Corps Weekly for timely and informative email updates on current
federal legislation. The Action Corps link as well as several others are
provided below.
Last, much thanks for your efforts to serve others!
RECENT
• Per VFW Action Corps Weekly (9 August 2019):
Potential Changes Coming to the Montgomery GI Bill: "This week Representatives Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) and Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.) introduced the VFW-supported GI Bill Planning Act of 2019 [H.R. 4162]. This bill would change the time to enroll in the Montgomery GI Bill
from the first week of recruit training to after a service member has
served six months on active duty. "The first few days of recruit
training is a chaotic period, and it is not the time to discuss the
specific differences between the Post 9/11, and the Montgomery GI Bill,”
said VFW National Legislative Service Deputy Director Pat Murray. "Many
VFW members have stated if they knew more about the Montgomery GI Bill
they may not have opted to pay $1,200 for a program they would never
use. This proposal would allow service members additional time to
understand the nuances between the two chapters of the GI Bill, if both
are still needed, and how to best utilize their education benefits.” The
VFW thanks Representatives Bergman and Rice for their continued
bipartisan work to ensure the best outcomes for our service members,
veterans and their families."
• Per VFW Action Corps Weekly (2 August 2019):
Fight to End Widow’s Tax in Jeopardy: "The National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA) includes several
VFW-supported provisions. One such provision would eliminate the Widow’s Tax,
which is a dollar for dollar offset of earned benefits for the surviving
spouses of about 65,000 service members and veterans who have made the ultimate
sacrifice. In the coming weeks, Senate leadership will meet in conference to
resolve the differences between the Senate and House versions and debate final
passage. Since the provision to end the Widow Tax is not in the Senate version
of the NDAA, it is in jeopardy of being left out of the final conference
agreement." Contact your Senators and urge them to #AxeWidowsTax this
year.
2020 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship Application is Open: "The 2020 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship is now accepting applications! The program, which is in its sixth year, is for VFW members who attend an accredited institute of higher learning. Ten student veterans will be selected for the semester-long program that focuses on real policy issues faced by veterans, service members, and their families. The highlight of the program is participation in the VFW Legislative Conference, which in the past has included meetings at the White House and with senior officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Congress. Those selected also spend time with their VFW Department members on Capitol Hill pushing the VFW’s legislative priorities. Alumni of the program have become more active in all levels of the VFW and changing laws to improve care and benefits for veterans." Learn more and apply for the fellowship.
Helpful Links:
VFW Legislative Priorities (including VFW Priority Goals):
https://www.vfw.org/advocacy/national-legislative-service
VFW Action Corps Weekly: https://www.vfw.org/actioncorpsweekly
State
of Michigan Senators, Representatives, and Bills: www.michiganlegislature.org
House Clerk Phone: 517-373-0135
Secretary of the Senate Phone: 517-373-2400
Federal Bills: https://www.congress.gov//
U.S. Senators: www.senate.gov
U.S. Representatives: www.house.gov
Jennifer L. Smith, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Dept. of MI Legislative Director
420 W. Kilborn Street
Email: